Festival and torch time almost here

The festivities kick off of Friday afternoon with local bands in St George’s Square, music, food and BBC Introducing bands in Wardown Park, music from local DJs in Moor Park and a whole host of acts in Pope’s Meadow, where boy band The Wanted will headline in the evening.

On Saturday the Luton Mela takes place in Wardown Park and music and dance performances in St George’s Square, Market Hill, Moor Park and Upper George Street.

The evening sees the second concert in Popes Meadow by Olly Murs, with support from local acts and grime artist Skepta.

And on Sunday the Luton International Carnival parade kicks off in New Bedford Road outside Wardown Park, taking in Alma Street, Upper George Street, Manchester Street, Library Road, Bute Street, Station Road and Hucklesby Way as carnival artists shimmy and shake their way around the town centre.

Sunday will also see entertainment continuing across the town centre and in Wardown Park as the town prepares to welcome the torch at 6.12pm.

All events are free apart from the Popes Meadow concerts on Friday and Saturday.

A free 48-page colour guide is now available with full details of all the acts appearing each day – copies can be picked up from the Town Hall, libraries, community centres, the Galaxy Centre and The Mall.

Residents in Luton and Dunstable can expect significant traffic disruption over the weekend and on Monday due to the festival and the Olympic Torch relay.

In Luton a number of roads closed to traffic through manned road closures and temporary restrictions in place.

Full details of the road closures and festival traffic management plan are available at www.luton.gov.uk/2012festival

In Dunstable the whole Torch Relay route will be closed to traffic in advance of the event. For full details visit www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/olympics